Bus safety signs campaigner praised by government

A man who has campaigned for the introduction of bus safety legislation in Scotland, including the use of safety signs, has been praised by the government.

According to the Press and Journal, Ron Beaty was applauded by Mike Penning, the transport minister, for his "dedicated" work to improve bus safety.

Mr Beaty has been calling for it to be made a legal requirement that safety signs and lights are used on school buses, and for it to be illegal for motorists to overtake buses when children are getting on and alighting.

Mr Beaty's daughter was involved in an accident after stepping off a bus in 2004, the newspaper reported.

"Without people like Mr Beaty, legislation does not get changed," Mr Penning was reported as saying at a Holyrood public petition committee session.

It looks as though Mr Beaty's campaign will be successful, with the minister confirming that discussions over devolving legislation for school transport in Scotland are set to take place.

Mr Beaty told the newspaper he expected the MSP for Banff and Buchan, Stewart Stevenson, to announce that Scotland will take control of such legislation.